Two state lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at increasing safety and transparency within Michigan’s prison system following recent inmate deaths.
Republican State Representatives Jennifer Wortz, of Quincy, and Karl Bohnak, of Deerton, announced House Bills 5920 and 5921, on Tuesday.
The lawmakers say their plan would greatly expand the oversight powers of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, an independent office that investigates complaints involving the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Current law only allows prisoners or legislators to file complaints. The new bills would open that right to prison employees, corrections officers, family members, and prisoner advocates.
Wortz said more accountability is urgently needed, pointing to the recent deaths of inmates Rebecca Fackler and Khaira Howard at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Both deaths are currently under investigation.
Wortz said, “The people of the state deserve to know with confidence that correctional facilities are operating safely, lawfully, and with full transparency.”
The legislation would also force the state to give the ombudsman direct access to medical, mental health, and mortality records without requiring special release forms. To keep the public informed, the ombudsman would have to publish monthly and annual reports detailing the complaints received and how they were resolved.
The bills have been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary for further review.
